Don't just have bare-bones-basic foods on hand as security in an uncertain world; use them as part of your regular diet.

 

 

Home Food Storage

What do I need and how much is enough?

You know you need home food storage but you still have that burning question.

So let's talk about what your family needs and how much is enough.

If you're still in the basics stage, the following chart will help you determine how much you will need.

Suggested Amounts of Basic Storage Foods (one person/one year)

Item

Per Year Amount

Grains

400 lbs.
  • Wheat
  • Flour
  • Cornmeal
  • Rolled Oats
  • Enriched White Rice
  • Pearled Barley
  • Pasta

175 lbs.
20 lbs.
30 lbs.
50 lbs.
80 lbs.
5 lbs.
40 lbs.

Legumes

60 lbs.
  • Dry Beans
  • Dry Lima Beans
  • Dry Soy Beans
  • Dry Split Peas
  • Dry Lentils
  • Dry Soup Mix

45 lbs.
2 lbs.
2 lbs.
2 lbs.
2 lbs.
7 lbs.

Fats and Oils

10 quarts
  • Cooking Oil
  • Shortening
  • Mayonnaise/Salad Dressing
  • Peanut Butter

5 quarts
2 quarts
1 quart
1 quart

Milk Group

16 lbs (or equivalent in canned milk)
  • Nonfat Dry Milk
  • Evaporated Milk

14 lbs.
12/12 oz. cans

Sugars

60 lbs.
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Brown Sugar
  • Molasses
  • Honey
  • Corn Syrup
  • Jams or Preserves
  • Powdered Fruit Drink
  • Flavored Gelatin

40 lbs.
3 lbs.
1 lbs.
3 lbs.
3 lbs.
5 lbs.
5 lbs.
1 lbs.

Miscellaneous

  
  • Salt
  • Dry Yeast
  • Baking Soda
  • Baking Powder
  • Water

8 lbs.
1/2 lbs.
1 lbs.
1 lbs.
14 gallons*

* Obviously, this would provide drinking and cooking water for only a few days - less than a week. Much more water needs to be stored, if possible.

Fruits and vegetables in any form would enhance the nutritional value of this diet.

Bare-Bones Basics

Bare-bones basics have two strong appeals when you look at them strictly from a preparedness perspective: (1) these foods will sustain life if they're all you have to eat, and (2) they have a long shelf life, so if you aren't willing or able to work them into your regular diet, you can still store them for a future time of need and they'll wait for you without constant care.

A supply of bare-bones basic foods is a good place to start your home food storage program. But do add some variety to your food storage.

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